Demonstrating device



1927. June H. E. LICHTENSTEIN DEMONSTRATING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1926 HWTTORNEY Patented June 14, 1927.

ITED STATES HENRY E. LICI-ITENSTEIN, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEMONSTRATING: DEVICE.

Application filed July 22,

The object of my invention is to provide a. simple apparatus for demonstrating the formation of different stitches or loops of knitted, netted or textile fabrics, in connection with threads or strings on a. magnifiedscale, and to permit. the stitches to be released and reformed from time to time. One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an apparatus which may be used for teaching the use of needles in closing runs in hosiery and ther knitted fabrics, by forming loops or stitches on a larger scale than the same are formed in the actual knitted fabric, in order that the observer may more quickly become familiar with the construction of the stitch and the method of forming the same. lVith the present device sample threads or cords my be interlooped with each other in order to construct a sample stitch corresponding; with the stitch of the knitted fabric; or various other stitches, corresponding with crochet work, and the like, may be formed in connection with the present apparatus. Other advantages will be set forth in the followinn detailed description of my invention.

In the drawing forming part of this application,

Figure 1 is acontaining my invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale, of one end of the device,

Figure 3' is a plan view on a large scale,

f the same parts, and with the stitches par- 'ally formed, and

igure 4: is a perspective view showing a modified form of my invention.

The device consists primarily of a, frame for holding a number of threads or cords in position to represent threads of the fabric, and which will usually lie in parallel rela tion, and I provide means for allowing the threads to be drawn in during the formation of the stitchesor loops, and to he drawn out in the process of removing the stit hes or loops, in order that the apparatus may be used repeatedly. In the drawing I have shown a base 1 forming a support for the frame and upon this base there are mounted four posts 2, 3, a, 5 arranged preferably at the corners of .a rectangle, each post being secured .stationarily to the base. Extending between the posts 2, 3, I have arranged the bar or rod 6 and between the posts 5, 1, I have arranged another bar or rod 7 preferably parallel with the bar or red 6, both of plan view of the apparatus the line of 1926. serial No. 124,145.

these bars being stationarily attached to the posts. I have also shown cross bars 8, 9 connected between each pair of end posts, although these bars are merely employed for steadying the posts and are not necessarily used. in carrying out the functions of the device. 1 have shown a number of threads or strings 10 having means such as knots 11 tied in one end and these threads-extend through apertures 12 in the bar 6, the knots holding the ends of the threads or strings from being drawn through these apertures. These strings or threads span the space between the parallel bars 6, 7 and thence pass through apertures 13 in the bar '2'; and in the particular construction illustrated these threads or strings extend from the bar 7 and are bunched together and tied by means of a string 14 so that the bunch may be manipulated collectively by hand. Preferably, the apertures 12 and 13 in the opposite bars 6, 7 are in line with each other, so that the threads spanning the space between the parallel bars lie parallel to each other, and

preferably equal distances apart, but the distances are generally greater than are the threads in a fabric which they represent. When the device is used to illustrate the formation of loops in aknitted fabric 1 provide a thread or cord 15 which is made continuous by tying the ends together, and this thread or cord passes through apertures 16 in the end bar 8 to form a starting loop which reaches forwardly to approximately the first cross thread 10. In illustrating the formation of loops in a knitted fabric the operator may proceed as shown in Figure 1. by first inserting the end of the latch needle 17 through the startin loop 15 and the eye of the needle may be placed under the first cross thread 10 and moved until the latch 18 of the needle passes the starting loop 15. As the needle is then drawn backwardly the latch 18 will be closed by engaging the starting loop 15 and in closing it will lock the first cross thread 10 within the Y of cdlc, so that whenthe starting.

same is drawn back through the I loop, the first cross thread will be looped through the starting loop. The needle, still passing through the loop formed in the first crossthread isthen moved forwardly again and the eye is placed under the second cross thread; as the latch passes beyond the Ioop in the first cross thread, the needle is drawn backwardly, so that the latch is again ill closed, this time by the firstoross thread, so that the latch locks the second cross thread in the eye of the needle; and as the needle is drawn back through the loop of the first cross thread the second cross thread is drawn through the same to form another loop. These operations ma 1 be repeated until loops have been formed in all of the cross threads, each loop interlocking with a loop of the next adjacent thread. As a result, a line of stitches or loops is formed in the cross threads representing the construction oi? a knitted piece of fabric. In this manner it is possible to'quickly teach the use of the latch needle for reforming the loops in the thread of stocking or other garment in which a run has occurred, so that the perinstructed 'may, after learning the formation of the stitch on a large scale with the present device, proceed to form similar loops in the knitted fabric where the stitches are liner and closer together. Vi hile it is possible to begin the formation of the loops with the first cross thread, I have found that the use or the starting loop starts the'tormation loops to look more natural or like the actual knitted fabric.

In Figure 4 I have shown the starting loop formed by tying a knot in the first cross thread to provide a loop 21 interme-- diate the bars 6, 7 and with this form of the device the operator first inserts the needle through this loop in the same manner as with the starting loop 15 in Figurel. While the stitches or loops are being formed the operator may draw on the bunch i l to retain the threads in regular parallel relation with just suificient tension to allow the loops to be drawn up to the desired degree, which L may be very loose or tight. After the operator has proceeded to form loops along; the cross threads either for the full length or the device, or for a portion thereof, and it is desired to repeat the operation, the needle is simply withdrawn entirely from the threads and the bunch 14. maybe drawn, whereupon the loops will unlock and the threads will return to their original position.

The device may then be used again in the .a'me manner to again illustrate the forma tion of the loops or stitches.

I have described my invention as used for teaching" thei ormation of knitted fabricbut it will be understood that the same may be used for teaching; various other stitches or fabric constructions. I do not wish to limit my invention to the means shown for allowing the release and take up of the span of threads between the parallel bars, although the means here shown 1s very simple and easily operated.

July, 1926.

In Figure 1, I have shown a peg 19 projecting from the bar 9, over which the last loop formed in the last cross thread may be looped for the purpose of preventing the stitches from running or unlocking, where it is desired to retain the construction temporarily.

Havingdescribed my invention, what I claim is:

1. A demonstrating device comprising supporting members arranged with a free open space between them, a plurality of threads or cords, each having one end held in fixed relation to one of said Supports, said threads or cords having a sliding engagement with the'ot-her of said supports whereby the said threads or cords span said space between said supports, subject to manipulation with a needle, said threads or cords extending be yond said second support .and adapted to be manipulated for the purpose of letting out and taking up the portions of said threads or cords which span the space between said supports.

2. A demonstrating,- device including spaced supports, a plurality of threads or cords, each having one end held in fixed relation to one of said supports, said threads or cords passing),- loosely through apertures :21 the other of said supports, and extending beyond said latter support, and means for grouping; said latter portions of the threads or cords whereby they may be collectively manipulated for the .let out and ta re up of the portions of threads 0 cords spanning' the space between said supports.

3. A demonstrating device comprising a plurality of spaced supports, a plurality 01 threads spanning the space between said supone of said first inentoned threads or cords.

4. A demonstrating device comprising a plurality of spaced supports, a plurality of threads spanning the space between said supports in parallel relation and passing through apertures in one of said supports and beyond the latter, and means for grouping the free ends of said threads whereby all of the threads may be manipulated to allow for the letout and take up of the portions of the threads spanning the space between'said supports and a. startingloop adjacent one of said threads between the supports adapted to be interlocked with an adjacent thread tor tli 'purpose set forth.

Signed at the city and county'ot New York and State of New York, this 13 day'oli HEllRY E. LIGHTENSTEIN. 

